ATLANTA — Zoo Atlanta is celebrating a "giant" milestone of having their pandas for 25 years!
Although officials previously announced the giant pandas will be heading back to China at the end of the year, the zoo is highlighting their pandas' 25th anniversary all summer long, and it will surely be "panda-stic."
When are Zoo Atlanta's pandas leaving?
Zoo Atlanta has four pandas, including the first twins born in the United States in more than two decades: Ya Lun and Xi Lun. The twins' parents, Lun Lun and Yang Yang, are also at the zoo until sometime in the fourth quarter; a specific departure date has not yet been announced.
Here's how you can watch and celebrate the zoo's pandas before they go.
Zoo Atlanta's panda celebrations
Throughout the summer, Zoo Atlanta will hold cultural performances, educational activities and more about the pandas from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The activities are free with the purchase of a general admission and for Zoo Atlanta members. Check out the zoo's full schedule below.
- 9:30 a.m. | Zoo Front Entrance: Chinese lion dance from Chien Hong School of Kung Fu
- 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Ford Pavilion: Family-friendly DJ, activities, and live chalk art from Fawne DeRosia
- 11 a.m. | Ford Pavilion: Dance party with Zhu Zhu, Zoo Atlanta’s panda mascot
- 12:30 p.m. | Ford Pavilion: Chinese lion performance and martial arts demonstration from the Shaolin Institute
- 2 p.m. | Ford Pavilion: Dance party with Zhu Zhu, Zoo Atlanta’s panda mascot
To learn more about the summer celebrations, click here.
If you can't make it to the zoo, you can always check out Zoo Atlanta's 24-hour panda cam online here.
“Zoo Atlanta is excited to come together with Cricket on bringing PandaCam into homes, workplaces, schools, and more around the globe,” President and CEO of Zoo Atlanta Raymond B. King said. “We are grateful for a sponsorship that highlights the work and experiences made possible by two organizations with deep roots in our city.”
Watch them play around, sleep and eat bamboo in their zoo habitat below: